Democrats elected Chris Larson as state Senate leader

Sen. Chris Larson of Milwaukee has been elected as Democratic leader in the state Senate.

Larson was chosen Tuesday during a closed-door meeting of Democrats who are in the minority in the Senate heading into the 2013 session. Larson was challenged by state Sen. Jon Erpenbach for the leadership post.

Erpenbach is a 14-year veteran of the Senate who previously served as minority leader a decade ago. The 32-year-old Larson was just elected in 2010 and has emerged as one of Gov. Scott Walker's sharpest critics.

Larson said he is committed to working with Walker and Republicans in the majority. Larson said he intends to be a voice for the middle class.

"This journey begins by creating the family-supporting jobs Wisconsinites have been calling for, re-investing in our next generation of workers by supporting local public schools, increasing accountability and transparency in state agencies ensuring taxpayer dollars are wisely invested, and implementing a comprehensive, functional health care exchange in compliance with the Supreme Court-upheld Affordable Care Act," Larson said in a written statement.

Republicans hold an 18-15 majority in the Senate. The Republican leader is Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau.